Grand openings for Sandy High School and Troutdale Police facility on Friday

View full sizeCourtesy of Sandy High SchoolSandy High students walked into a brand-new school on the first day of school Tuesday. The school, built with a $110 million bond, will have tours and a dedication featuring Gov. John Kitzhaber on Friday, followed by the first home game of the season.

Troutdale Police Department and new Sandy High School will both celebrate the opening of their new facilities at dedications on Friday at 6 p.m. Both projects were funded by voter-approved bonds and broke ground in 2010.

Sandy High School: Gov. John Kitzhaber will be at the new Sandy High School, 37400 Bell St. in Sandy, on Friday to mark the opening of the $110 million building on 82 acres. The new school features an outdoor environmental learning lab; career and technical education options in agriculture, manufacturing, automotive technology, and engineering drafting; and a 500-seat auditorium for performing arts.

“Opening our new school has been a remarkable experience," said Sandy High Principal Tim Werner. "The atmosphere of pride among our students and staff is exceptional, and we’re all very thankful to the Oregon Trail Community for committing so generously to the success of our children.”

In November 2008 voters in the school district approved a $114.9 million bond to repair five schools and build a new high school -- with 1,258 students in grades 9 through 12 last year. After a year and a half of planning and design and two months of appeals by neighbors, the construction moved forward.

Tours of the facility will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, and a formal dedication will be at 6 p.m. with the governor. The first home football game of the season will follow -- v. Wilson -- at 7:30 p.m., with free admission for those who live in the Oregon Trail School District.

View full sizeCourtesy of Jim KightThe new Troutdale Police Community Center replaces the old facility that had neither holding cells nor adequate space for the force.

the new Troutdale Police Community Center with a dedication ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday. The new, $7.5 million bond-funded facility is at 234 S.W. Kendall Court in Troutdale.

"I feel very grateful to the citizens of Troutdale who voted in favor of building this much-needed facility," Anderson said. "I am especially thankful to the many citizens and elected officials who worked tirelessly on the campaign political action committee, Friends of Troutdale Police."

Anderson added that the Troutdale Police Department's "stellar" reputation allowed the bond measure to pass. "We look forward to serving our community out of a functional, well-designed police facility," he said.

The facility replaces current headquarters, in a former bank that was built in 1956. It has no holding cell and lacks other amenities police and detectives need to do their jobs, city officials said in 2010.

The grand opening will include the dedication, tours of the facility, and refreshments.